England win series against Pakistan

So England can still win. Up until the last couple of matches it was all feeling like a bit of a disaster this summer. The most reassuring element for England fans was the way the side put itself in a winning position and then actually followed it through. Too often in the last year they've not finished things off when they've been in a position to force a win.

We're a firm believer that a desire to win will always give you the edge over an opponent who merely fears failure. Hopefully England have stepped back into the former category. If Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif play in the next Test and England still win, they'll give themselves even more confidence. Not that this is a bad Pakistan side by any means, but those two would give the bowling a bit more edge.

England's team is likely to remain the same when the sides meet again at the Oval next week. However, there's a 12 into 11 conundrum looming on the horizon like an Andrew Flintoff-shaped behemoth. The man himself will hopefully return to the side come the winter and somebody has to get dropped. All England's batsmen have scored sizable runs this summer with the exception of Marcus Trescothick - and, frankly, there is no way that he is getting dropped. But England will want five bowlers in Australia so one of the top six will have to go.

Maybe they should put it to a public vote as to who gets dropped. That would be very modern. We're glad that we don't have to decide anyway. We just have to drink tea and lambaste whatever decision gets made, because there is no right answer. The other knock-on effect is a tail like a diplodocus (without the power) if Monty Panesar plays. Matthew Hoggard at eight anybody? Thought not.

Cross-posted at King Cricket.